Donald Trump is set to become the 47th president of the United States, when he is officially inaugurated on January 20, 2025.
The much-anticipated inauguration is just a week away, and along with political significance, it also marks a paradigm shift in the corporate and larger social landscape as well.
Musk; The “Pioneer”
This is the case as many corporations that looked away from Trump in his first, and, in many ways, unexpected turn at the White House in 2017, 2025 is different.
Many major companies that are known for being conservative or Republican-leaning have tried to cosy up with the incoming administration that is stronger than ever.
Elon Musk and his companies have poured resources into the campaign and now the upcoming presidency. As a result of this, Musk has acquired a position more visible and prominent than Trump’s own vice president JD Vance, who has been conspicuous by his absence since the November victory.
Elon Musk
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta
Following on on the footsteps of Musk is his arch-rival (if that is a fair use of the term), Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg.
Zuckerberg and his company are reported to have donated a million dollars to his inauguration. This is in addition to other attempts from the Facebook founder to ingratiate with Trump.
Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg
Recently, he also abolished fact-checking on his platforms, to replace them with “community notes”. Zuckerberg also met with Trump after his famous win.
Google At Service
Next in line are some other tech companies. Google, which is struggling with anti-trust litigation amid calls of a company break up (breaking Google up) and alleged anti-competitive behaviour has also reportedly donated to Trump’s inauguration.
Satya Nadella’s Microsoft
Satya Nadella-led Microsoft is also said to have donated another million dollars to the Republican’s second turn at the Oval Office. The company is heavily invested in AI and regulation in the same has been on horizon, in the US Congress.
The Congress is currently under the brute control of Trump’s Republican party.
The A-Z Amazon
Jeff Bezos’s Amazon has also donated a large sump to the event. One may note that The Washington Post, which is under the ownership of Bezos did not endorse a candidate, like most US papers usually do.
Amazon owner Jeff Bezos
It also may be noted, that Amazon Prime will also be making a documentary on Melania Trump, who inked a USD 4 million deal with the company.
Boeing Looking for a Safe Landing
After tech we have legacy companies lining up to lodge their million dollars into the Trump kitty.
Boeing
Boeing had a horrible 2024 with endless litigations, malfunctioning, allegedly substandard flights with their doors flying off, along with suspicious death of whistleblowers, and has also donated USD 1 million to the mega event.
Ford’s Funds
It is now also being reported that auto giant Ford, which has burned its hand in the EV transition has also donated to the Trump fund.
200 Million Dollars And More
According to a BBC report, the cumulative funds collected since his victory amount to close to USD 200 million, higher the Biden’s 62 million in 2021.
And unlike in 2016, when Trump got defensive about the small crowd size, this time, the 47th president may not have to do that, as the inauguration event is reportedly a full house.
